The second reading of the Appropriation Bill for the year 2026 — also known as the Budget Speech — is scheduled to be presented this afternoon (07).
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, in his capacity as the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, will deliver the Budget Speech in Parliament at 1.30 PM today.
According to the Parliamentary Communications Department, the Budget debate on the Appropriation Bill will commence tomorrow (08) and continue until December 5.
The vote on the second reading of the Budget is set to take place on Friday, November 14, at 6.00 PM.
The third reading, or Committee Stage debate, will run for 17 days starting from November 15. The final vote on the third reading is scheduled for December 5 at 6.00 PM.
The Parliamentary Communications Department further stated that Budget debates will be held daily throughout the Budget period, except on public holidays and Sundays.
The total government expenditure for 2026 is projected at Rs. 4,434 billion.
The Ministry of Finance has been allocated the highest amount in the Appropriation Bill, totaling Rs. 634 billion. The Ministry of Provincial Councils and Local Government has received an allocation of Rs. 618 billion, while the Ministry of Public Administration has been allocated Rs. 596 billion.
The Ministry of Health and Mass Media will receive Rs. 554 billion, and the Ministry of Defense has been allocated Rs. 455 billion.
An allocation of Rs. 301 billion has been made for the Ministry of Education. Meanwhile, the President’s Expenditure Head has been set at Rs. 11 billion — an increase of approximately Rs. 8 billion compared to the Rs. 2.7 billion allocated in 2025.
It is reported that the increase in the President’s allocation is primarily due to Rs. 8.29 billion earmarked for development programs in 2026.
Additionally, Rs. 488 billion has been allocated for pensions under the Appropriation Bill.
The Bill also specifies that the maximum domestic and foreign borrowing limit to cover state expenditure in 2026 has been capped at Rs. 3,800 billion, which must not be exceeded.
